Gabriela Pattinson and Darya Davoudi Get Their First Derby Wins at Desert Circuit 2
Friday, January 16, marked a banner day for both Gabriela Pattinson and Darya Davoudi as the two riders clinched their first USHJA National Hunter Derby victories.
For Pattinson, her inaugural win came aboard Cat’s Meow in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Open, sponsored by CWD Sellier. Davoudi earned her top honor with Told You So in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunt & Go Derby – Junior/Amateur, sponsored by Vogel. Both classes were held on the Grass Field at Desert International Horse Park as part of Desert Circuit 2.
“It feels pretty amazing!” said Pattinson, noting that the class was Cat’s Meow’s first derby win as well. “The course was great – so nice and so beautiful. The turns were nice. I could just tell that [Cat’s Meow] really loved it.”
Judges Jeanne Marie Dunford-Miller and Keith Hastings loved Cat’s Meow’s round as well, and they rewarded the 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding with scores of 92 and 94 for a 186 winning total. Second place in the 34-horse field went to Jason McArdle and Enrique, owned by Anisa Pourteymour, with a score of 182 (90+92). Finishing in third place with a 181.25 total (88.75+92.5) were Emily Esau Williams and Star Quality, owned by McKee Sport Horses LLC.
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